The Washington Post reported Monday the call between Trump and Taiwan's leader had been long planned.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that former Sen. Bob Dole helped set up the call, and a new Tuesday report from BuzzFeed reveals Dole's law firm was paid $20,000 a month to advance Taiwan's interests in Washington D.C.

Top aides to the president-elect have attempted to downplay the conversation.

Some conservatives, such as former Speaker Newt Gingrich, praised Trump for holding the discussion with Tsai, whom they noted represents a democratically elected government.

Top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway on Sunday dismissed the conversation as "just a phone call" and urged people not to read too much into it.